Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - Wednesday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezra 9:5-9 and Luke 9:1-6]Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic." [Luke]
SEPTEMBER 23, ST. PIUS OF PIETRALCINA [Padre Pio]
When I think of the charge that Jesus gave to the Twelve and eventually to a further seventy-two, I can't help but think that I would have a tough time with the life-style instructions. The same would be true for me when I think about what St. Dominic wanted his first friars to do. They were to beg for their food and sustenance. At the root of the establishment of the Order of Preachers nearly 800 years ago was the connection between preaching and physical witness. The papal preachers in southern France traveled in what was considered great luxury. The heretical preachers lived a simple lifestyle based on the descriptions of the early Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles (Ch 2 and 4). The papal group was getting nowhere. The heretics were attracting large numbers.
Itinerant preaching does impose a certain asceticism of the road. One does not know what will be waiting at the next place, and the temptation to pack a lot of "stuff, just in case," is strong. However, this is not just the challenge for itinerant ministry. The garages of many folks are filled with "stuff" that is kept "just in case." When I see the pictures of the migrants fleeing the Middle East at the present time, I see the contrast between our great comfort and freedom. I also see the refusal of many nations to make a few sacrifices or accept some inconveniences so that these people who have left everything might find at least a welcome. If we accept our status as baptized persons, there is a responsibility for others that comes with it. Jesus saw clearly that preaching the gospel meant letting go of what weighs us down. It's a challenge to me and I suspect to many others. AMEN
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